Two lawsuits that were filed against the Knox County Supervisors by former Knox County Attorney John Thomas were dismissed in the District Court of Knox County this week.
Thomas had filed the lawsuits challenging decisions made by the Supervisors at a meeting in August of 2025.
In both cases, Thomas requested that the decisions made were considered void as a result of what he alleged were violations of the Open Meetings Act.
The requests were ruled unfavorably to Thomas’s position for mainly two reasons:
1. The violation as reported outside the required 120 days to make said complaint, as Thomas filed a second, amended request in November of 2025, determined to be outside the 120 day window.
2. Reportedly, the Board of Supervisors, on November 26, 2025, voted to rescind the actions that they made in August of their own volition, and Nebraska law requires that if the fundamental reason for the lawsuit changes then the original motion is “rendered moot.”
Since the Supervisors had already rescinded their action, which was what was challenged, the court rendered Thomas’s objection “moot” and dismissed because the allegation was corrected by the Supervisors already – which would make it impossible for the court to rule for relief requested by Thomas.
Via an email received following the decision, Thomas said he was disappointed in the court’s decision and was considering an appeal.
In a press release sent to the media, the Board of Supervisors said “Knox County appreciates the Court’s careful consideration of these matters,” said Chairman James Sokol, Jr., “The Board acted promptly and transparently, and the Court correctly determined that John Thomas’ lawsuits were without merit.”
According to the release from the Supervisors, “Knox County remains committed to full compliance with the Nebraska Open Meetings Act, and to conducting the public’s business in an open and transparent matter.”